Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno is rehearsing for a new role -- guest conductor of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.
The mayor will lead the SSO in a performance of "Sleigh Ride" at Saturday night's pops concert "Holiday Extravaganza with the Grinch" at Symphony Hall.
Sarno received some pointers on Wednesday afternoon from conductor Nick Palmer, who will lead the orchestra. Nikki Stoia will lead the Springfield Symphony Chorus and Amelia Nagski the Children's Chorus.
Also on hand are Cantor Martin Levso of Sinai Temple in Springfield, a certain Jolly Old Elf from the North Pole and the heartless Grinch from Mount Crumpit.
Among the featured performances are Tchaikovsky's beloved Nutcracker ballet, Handel's exultant Hallelujah Chorus, L'Dor Vador (From generation to generation), sung by Levson, Where Are You, Christmas? from James Horner's score to the 2000 film "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and Leroy Anderson's classic Sleigh Ride, led by Sarno.
Tickets begin at $22 and are available at the Springfield Symphony Orchestra box office at 1441 Main St., by calling 413-733-2291 or online at springfieldsymphony.org